Portable costume case with a collapsible rack

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable costume case for use by performers to allow for hanging of costumes to maintain them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by the performers from one costume to another. The costume case is a bag having a base and opposing ends and sidewalls extending upwardly of the base and connected to one another and a top. The top is provided with a releasable opening means to allow the top to be opened for access to the interior of the bag and to be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of the bag. The case is provided with a reinforced framework attached to the opposing ends and sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the opposing ends and sidewalls in an upright position. The opposing ends of the bag are also provided with end stiffeners attached to the reinforced framework. Each of the end stiffeners are provided with a receiving means for an upright support for a costume rack. The costume rack comprises upright supports having one end to be received within the receiving means and having a means for attaching a horizontal support bar thereto to provide for a support for hanging costumes. During transport, the costume rack is removed from the receiving means and stored within the interior of the bag and when it is desired to use the bag for hanging of costumes the costume rack is removed from the bag and mounted to the receiving means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/758,616, filed Jun. 5, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable costume case with a collapsible costume rack and in particular to a portable costume case for use by skaters and dancers.

BACKGROUND

Performers such as skaters and dancers especially during performances and competitions require several different costumes for the different numbers, which they perform during the performance or competitions. Many of the venues in which the competitions or performances take place may not have proper facilities for hanging the costumes to ensure the costumes are in the proper condition as well as to allow for quick changes for the performers from one costume to another. In these circumstances, the performers will have to sort through the various costumes in the carrying case to select the proper costume and ensure it is in the proper condition.

There have been many containers and portable display racks developed for traveling salesman to allow them to display their wares, especially garments at a retail outlet. Examples of such containers and portable display racks are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,820, 4,267,905, 2,639,793, and 1,894,485. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,793 describes a portable sample case with a collapsible display rack having a garment hanging rack, which is pivotable and extendable from the case to provide a rack supported at one end for hanging of garments. U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,820 describes a container for use by a traveling salesperson having a bag with a display stand therein and movable between a collapsed position within the bag for transportation and an erect state projecting from the bag for display purposes, the display stand having a centrally supported bar for hanging of garments thereon.

There thus remains a need for a portable costume case for use by performers such as skaters and dancers during a performance or competition to allow for hanging of the costumes to maintain them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by the performers from one costume to another.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a portable costume case for use by performers to allow for hanging of costumes to maintain them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by the performers from one costume to another. The costume case comprises a bag having a base and opposing end and sidewalls extending upwardly of the base and connected to one another and a top. The top is provided with a releasable opening means to allow the top to be opened for access to the interior of the bag and to be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of the bag. The case is provided with a reinforced framework attached to the opposing end and sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the opposing end and sidewalls in an upright position. The opposing ends of the bag are also provided with end stiffeners attached to the reinforced framework. Each of the end stiffeners are provided with a receiving means for an upright support for a costume rack. The costume rack comprises upright supports having one end to be received within the receiving means and having a means for attaching a horizontal support bar thereto to provide for a support for hanging costumes. During transport, the costume rack is removed from the receiving means and stored within the interior of the bag and when it is desired to use the bag for hanging of costumes the costume rack is removed from the bag and mounted to the receiving means.

In an aspect of the invention each of the upright supports and horizontal support bar of the costume rack are adjustable for height and length to not only allow for a collapsed position for storage within the bag but also to allow for varying heights of the costume rack, depending upon the nature of the costumes hanging on the support bar.

In another aspect of the invention the bag is provided with a collapsible handle at one end thereof and wheels at the other end thereof to allow for ease of transport of the bag by the user.

In another aspect of the invention the bag is provided with one or more exterior pockets for storage of accessories or ancillary equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the costume bag of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures in which the:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a first side of the costume bag of the present invention in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a second side of the costume bag of FIG. 1 in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the bottom of the costume bag of FIG. 1 in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of the costume bag of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is perspective view partly in cross-section of the costume bag of FIG. 1 in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the costume case according to the present invention is illustrated in the figures generally indicated by the numeral 10. Costume case 10 includes a bag 12 having a base 14, end walls 16, sidewalls 18 and a top 20. The top 20 is provided with a releasable opening means such as a zipper 22, which allows the top 20 to be opened to allow access to the interior of the bag 12 or to be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of the bag 12 during transport.

Each of the end walls 16 are provided with end stiffeners 24 which together with a reinforced framework 26 maintain the end walls 16 and sidewalls 18 in an upright position even if the interior of the bag 12 is empty. The end stiffeners 24 and reinforcing frame 26 are located within the interior of the bag 12. Attached to each of the end stiffeners 24 are receiving means for receiving the uprights 28 of a costume rack 30. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures the receiving means are two U clamps 32, permanently attached to the end stiffeners 24 with the bight 34 of each of the U clamps 32 being aligned to receive the ends of the upright 28. In order to fit within the bight 34 of the U clamps 32, the uprights 28 are generally circular in cross-section.

Other designs for the receiving means may be utilized depending upon the nature of the uprights of the costume rack. For example, if the uprights were rectangular in cross-section then a receiving means able to accept and hold the uprights would be utilized such as for example, a clamp having a square opening to receive the upright.

Preferably, the uprights 28 are telescoping to allow for the upright 28 to have a collapsed storage position and an extended display position. The uprights 28 would be provided with a plurality of individual sections 38 nested within each other, each of the sections 38 being provided with a releasable locking means 40 to allow the sections 38 to be locked in the extended display position. The locking means 40 could be any typical locking means utilized in telescoping arrangements such as a cam lock, a screw lock, or a releasable button and hole arrangement. The provision of the telescoping uprights 28 provides for a reduced size of the upright 28 when the upright 28 is in its storage position, thus taking up less space within the bag 12 during transport of the bag 12. In a similar manner, the crossbar 36 may also be provided as a telescoping bar to allow for a collapsed storage position and an extended display position. A further advantage of the provision of the telescoping costume rack of the present invention is that the height of the crossbar 36 is adjustable to accommodate different sizes of costumes and users. For example, if the costume case 10 is being utilized by a younger performer than their costumes tend to be smaller and the crossbar 36 would not have to be as high as it would be have to be for an adult performer. Also costumes for skaters tend to be not as long as costumes which may be utilized by certain types of dancers and thus the height of the crossbar 36 of the costume rack 30 may be adjusted to adapt to these various situations.

The portable costume case of the present invention may be constructed of any of the typical materials utilized in baggage and luggage construction. For example, the costume case may be a hard sided case constructed of a molded plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride or the like. Preferably, the costume case is a soft sided case constructed from a material such as canvas, nylon or the like, most preferably nylon.

As illustrated in the figures, the costume case 10 of the present invention may also be provided with a plurality of external pockets 42 for storage of accessories or ancillary equipment such as skates, dance shoes, makeup cases, jewelry boxes, etc. The external pockets 42 are sized to accept the accessories or ancillary equipment and are provided with releasable closure means such as zippers 44, or other closure means to secure the accessories or ancillary equipment within the pocket 42 during transport of the bag 12.

In order to allow for easier transport of the costume case 10 of the present invention, the costume case 10 is provided with wheels 46 at one end of the case 10. The wheels 46 are preferably provided adjacent the lower corners at one end of the case 10. The other end of the case 10 at the bottom is provided with a collapsible handle 48, which may be extended such that when the user raises the case 10 by the handle 48, the case 10 is able to be rolled along on the wheels 46 located at the other end of the case 10. The collapsible handle 48 is a typical construction of collapsible handles utilized in luggage and baggage construction.

In order to provide for additional capacity for hanging costumes and other equipment, the uprights 28 may be provided with rings 50 or other such structures, which would allow additional costumes or other equipment to be hung from the rings 50.

The costume case of the present invention is utilized by performers in the following manner. The performer will transport the case by carrying it by the handle rolling it along on the wheels. Once the performer has reached the performance location, the handle would be collapsed and the bag placed in the proper position. The top would be opened utilizing the releasable opening means, and the costume rack would be assembled either by inserting the uprights in the receiving means and attaching the crossbar or by extending the telescoping uprights to the desired extended position and attaching the crossbar to the uprights. The costumes within the bag would be hung on the crossbar and any accessories or ancillary equipment contained within the pockets removed.

Once the performance is completed, the performer would place the accessories or ancillary equipment within the pockets, remove the costumes from the crossbar and pack them within the bag, and then disassemble and store the costume rack. The top would then be closed, the handle extended and the performer could transport the bag away from the performance location.

The portable costume case of the present invention provides performers such as skaters and dancers with an easily assembled costume rack to allow the performer to hang costumes for use in the performance to maintain them in the proper condition. In addition, the costume case of the present invention allows for quick changes by the performers from one costume to another during the performance. The costume case of the present invention also allows for easy transport and storage of the costumes utilized by the performers as well as any accessories or ancillary equipment, utilized during the performances.

Although various preferred embodiments the present invention have been described herein in detail, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A portable costume case for use by performers to allow for hanging of costumes to maintain them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by the performers from one costume to another, the costume case comprising a bag having a base and opposing ends and sidewalls extending upwardly of the base and connected to one another and a top, which is provided with a releasable opening means to allow the top to be opened for access to the interior of the bag and to be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of the bag, the case being provided with a reinforced framework attached to the opposing end and sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the opposing end and sidewalls in an upright position, the opposing ends of the bag also being provided with end stiffeners attached to the reinforced framework, each of the end stiffeners being provided with a receiving means for an upright support of a costume rack, the costume rack comprising upright supports having one end to be received within the receiving means and having a means for attaching a horizontal support bar thereto to provide for a support for hanging costumes, the costume rack being removable from the receiving means for storage within the interior of the case for transport.
 2. A portable costume case according to claim 1 wherein each of the upright supports and horizontal support bar of the costume rack are adjustable for height and length to not only allow for a collapsed position for storage within the bag but also to allow for varying heights of the costume rack, depending upon the nature of the costumes hanging on the support bar.
 3. A portable costume case according to claim 1 wherein the bag is provided with a collapsible handle at one end thereof and wheels at the other end thereof to allow for ease of transport of the case by the user.
 4. A portable costume case according to claim 3 wherein the bag is provided with one or more exterior pockets for storage of accessories or ancillary equipment.
 5. A portable costume case according to claim 1, wherein the upright supports are telescoping upright supports such that the upright supports are adapted to transition from a collapsed configuration suitable for storage to an expanded position suitable for display and hanging of costumes.
 6. A portable costume case according to claim 5, wherein the horizontal support bar comprises a telescoping member.
 7. A portable costume case according to claim 1, wherein each upright support comprises a plurality of individual sections nested within each other such that the upright supports are adapted to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.
 8. A portable costume case according to claim 7, wherein each of the upright supports comprises releaseable locking means such that the upright supports can be secured in an expanded position.
 9. A portable costume case comprising: a bag comprising a base, a top, first and second opposing end walls, first and second opposing sidewalls, the end walls and sidewalls extending upwardly from the base and connected to one another, the top comprising an opening; a framework attached to the opposing end and sidewalls to maintain the opposing end and sidewalls in an upright position; and a collapsible costume rack comprising first and second telescoping upright supports coupled to the framework at the opposing end walls and a horizontal support bar coupled to and extending between the first and second telescoping upright supports, wherein the costume rack is sized and shaped to hang costumes in an extended position and to be disposed within the an interior of the bag in a collapsed position.
 10. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the bag further comprises a retractable handle that extends outwardly from the first end wall in an extended position, and a pair of wheels coupled to and extending outwardly from the second end wall.
 11. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the bag further comprises one or more pockets for storage of accessories or ancillary equipment.
 12. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the first and second telescoping upright supports comprise at least one releasable locking means.
 13. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the first and second telescoping uprights are removably coupled to the framework.
 14. A portable costume case comprising: a base, first and second opposing end walls and first and second opposing sidewalls, the end walls and sidewalls extending upwardly from the base to define a case interior; a top comprising an opening to access the case interior; first and second stiffener elements attached to the first and second end walls; a costume rack that includes first and second upright members coupled to the first and second stiffener elements, each upright member having a plurality of sections nested within each other such that the upright members are moveable between expanded and collapsed positions locking means to maintain the upright members in the expanded position, and a horizontal member extending between the first and second upright members, wherein the costume rack is contained within the case interior when the upright members are in the collapsed position, and wherein the first and second uprights extend upwardly through the top opening in an expanded position; an extendable handle coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the first end wall when extended; and a pair of wheels coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the second end wall.
 15. The portable costume case according to claim 14, wherein the first and second upright members are coupled to the first and second stiffener elements by at least one bracket disposed on each stiffener element.
 16. The portable costume case according to claim 14, wherein the respective first and second ends of the first and second upright members are disposed within openings in the base.
 17. The portable costume case according to claim 14, further comprising a framework attached to the first and second stiffener elements and encircling the first and second opposing sidewalls.
 18. The portable costume case according to claim 14 wherein the first and second upright members are removably coupled to the first and second stiffener elements. 